Cape Town – Vernac News has reliably learnt that the furniture at some administration offices at the University of Cape Town has been removed in fear of protest action that could begin on Monday.

The offices of the Centre for Higher Education Development and the Department of Student Affairs, located at the Steve Biko Union Building on Upper Campus, have had their furniture removed. Steve Biko also houses the SRC and has become a site of protest occupations in the recent months.

Last week the UCT SRC released a statement accusing UCT management of undermining the need for talks to resolve certain issues plaguing the university. Chief amongst these is the impending financial exclusion of 23 students on debt. The students are said to having been given until the 15th of September to pay all outstanding fees.

The SRC also alleged that UCT workers remain understaffed and overworked despite having been insourced over a year ago. Workers are said to be without the necessary protective gear required to be worn when working with dangerous chemicals. Even more damning is the revelation that the workers who were promised full benefits of being UCT employees are without a provident fund.

Meanwhile, student leader Athabile Nonxuba has called for a mass meeting expected to deliberate on these issues. This meeting will be held on Monday, 04 September at lunchtime at the Grace Machel lawns on Lower Campus.